Understanding Nervous System Dysregulation: CES Therapy for Anxiety and Trauma with Tauna Young & Cara Maxfield - #45

Episode Summary In this episode, Dr. Michael Passmore is joined by two guests who bring both clinical expertise and lived experience to the topic of nervous system dysregulation. Together, they explore why anxiety is far more body-based than most people realize, and how a lesser-known technology called Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) may offer real relief for anxiety, insomnia, trauma, and chronic pain. Guests Tauna Young, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and founder of NeuroVana Calm — a company focused on expanding access to CES therapy. Tauna has years of clinical experience helping patients struggling with anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, and nervous system dysregulation. Cara Maxfield, entrepreneur and content creator who speaks openly about navigating trauma recovery, anxiety, panic attacks, chronic pain, and the real-world challenges of managing mental health while parenting and running a business. Topics Covered What nervous system dysregulation actually is and how it shows up in the body Why anxiety is a physical, physiological experience — not a character flaw or weakness The fight-or-flight response: when a protective mechanism becomes miscalibrated The connection between trauma, body memory, and emotional triggers What Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) is and how it works How CES stimulates the thalamus and vagus nerve to induce a calm brain state Research comparing CES to experienced meditators' brainwave states CES FDA clearance (since 1979) and its safety profile vs. medications Clinical applications: anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, chronic pain, fibromyalgia Why CES remains largely unknown in mainstream medicine How to use CES: loading phase, daily use, and situational use Combining CES with CBT, psychotherapy, exposure therapy, and medication Cara's first-hand account of using CES during a panic attack Practical tips for regulating your nervous system Key Takeaways Anxiety is a nervous system state, not a personal weakness The body and brain are deeply interconnected — what affects one affects the other CES is portable, discreet, safe, and can be used anywhere — even the dentist CES has a 67% success rate (≥50% improvement) vs. ~45–55% for SSRIs, with far fewer side effects Tools like CES work best as part of a broader toolkit alongside therapy and lifestyle strategies Everyone has trauma to some extent — normalizing that conversation is key to healing Resources & Links 🌐 NeuroVana Calm: NeuroVanaCalm.com 📖 Free eBook from Tauna Young: A deeper dive into the science of CES — available at NeuroVanaCalm.com 📚 The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk (referenced in episode) https://a.co/d/0bkbVqsp Connect & Subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might benefit, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Drop your questions and topic ideas in the comments — your feedback shapes future episodes. The Neurostimulation Podcast is an independent educational project by Dr. Michael Passmore. All content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.